Absorbent article with body-conforming bladder having peristaltic elements

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article having a multi-layer material having a front section, a back section and an intermediate section connecting the front section and the back section, wherein the multi-layer material includes a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. At least one resilient fluid-filled chamber is disposed in the absorbent layer or between at least a portion of the absorbent layer and the backsheet and has at least one peristaltic element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a personal care absorbent article such as adiaper, incontinence garment and feminine care product such as sanitarynapkins and panty liners. More particularly, this invention relates topersonal care absorbent articles comprising a resilient fluid-filledchamber, also herein referred to as a bladder insert, which conformswhile retaining much of its volume in order to generate intimate contactbetween the absorbent article and the wearer and which comprisesperistaltic elements for improved intake and distribution of bodilydischarges. The essence of the concept of this invention is that theresilient fluid-filled chamber allows the pressure to be equalizedacross the absorbent article surface, adapting to the dynamics of thewearer's activity. For example, as the person is seated, the pressureimparted against the seat is transferred to other portions to help pressthe absorbent article against the body.

The mechanical properties of the bladder insert are characterized byvery high resiliency in dry and wet conditions. These resilientproperties, which are mainly dependent on the pressure in the chambersand the two-dimensional arrangement of the chambers, minimize paddeformation when in use. In addition, the resilient inserts insureexcellent body conformance by allowing the material to mold reversiblyinto the various shapes of a multitude of use conditions.

In addition to body conformance, the bladder can be used as a means forenhancing intake and distribution of bodily discharges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of this invention to provide an absorbent article whichconforms to the body of the wearer.

It is another object of this invention to provide an absorbent articlewhich conforms to the body of the wearer and promotes the intake anddistribution of bodily fluid discharges.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an absorbentarticle which, although conformable to the body of the wearer, has thecapability of returning substantially to a variety of use shapes.

These and other objects of this invention are addressed by an absorbentarticle comprising a multi-layer material having a front section, a backsection and an intermediate section connecting the front section and theback section. The multi-layer material comprises a top sheet, a backsheet and an absorbent layer disposed between the top sheet and the backsheet. At least one resilient fluid-filled chamber comprising at leastone peristaltic element is disposed one of in the absorbent layer andbetween at least a portion of the absorbent layer and the back sheet.The resilient fluid-filled chamber, or bladder insert, is a sealedcompartment between a generally upper and a generally lower layer ofmaterial which is impermeable to its contents. The fluid impermeablematerial is a material selected from a group consisting ofthermoplastics, elastomers, polyurethane films, coated papers andcombinations thereof. In accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention, the fluid impermeable material comprises polyethylene and/orpolypropylene.

Suitable fluids for use in the resilient fluid-filled chamber includewater, air, gelatins, hydrogels, colloids, suspensions and combinationsthereof.

As will be seen, the fluid-filled chamber of this invention lends itselfto a plethora of embodiments and, thus, applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of this invention will be betterunderstood from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article comprising a bladderinsert in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article of FIG. 1taken along the line II—II;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a bladder having blowing means for inflatingthe bladder insert in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bladder insert shown in FIG. 3taken along the line IV—IV;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are plan views of a bladder insert in accordance withone embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bladder insert of FIG. 5A takenalong the line VI—VI;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a multi-chamber bladder insert in accordancewith one embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views of the bladder insert of FIG.7 taken along the line VIII—VIII;

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are plan views of various embodiments of amulti-chamber bladder insert in accordance with this invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are plan views of an absorbent article having abladder insert;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article of FIG. 10Ain accordance with one embodiment of this invention taken along the lineXI—XI;

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 13A and 13B are plan views of bladder insertsin accordance with this invention comprising internal baffles;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a bladder insert in accordance with oneembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the bladder insert of FIG. 14 takenalong the line XV—XV;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a bladder insert having an open center area inaccordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C and 17D are cross-sectional views of the bladderinsert of FIG. 16 taken along the line XVII—XVII alone or in combinationwith other elements of an absorbent article in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a bladder insert for an absorbent article inaccordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the bladder insert of FIG. 18 takenalong the line XIX—XIX;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a bladder insert for an absorbent article inaccordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the bladder insert of FIG. 20 takenalong the line XXI—XXI;

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a bladder insert for an absorbent article inaccordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the bladder insert of FIG. 22 takenalong the line XXIII—XXIII;

FIGS. 24, 25, 26 and 27 are cross-sectional views of a bladder insertfor absorbent articles in accordance with this invention havingperistaltic elements;

FIGS. 28A and 28B are diagrammatic views of a valve arrangement forinflation of bladder inserts in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic view of an inflation device for inflation of abladder insert in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 30 is a side view of a bladder insert comprising materials havingdissimilar elasticities in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 31 is a plan view of a bladder insert comprising materials havingdissimilar elasticities in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 32 is a plan view of a bladder insert comprising materials havingdissimilar elasticities in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 33 is a plan view of a bladder insert comprising materials havingdissimilar elasticities in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the bladder insert of FIG. 33 takenalong the line XXXIV—XXXIV;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the bladder insert of FIG. 33 takenalong the line XXXV—XXXV;

FIG. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a bladder insertcomprising a body-fitting mechanism in accordance with one embodiment ofthis invention;

FIG. 37 is a plan view of the bladder insert of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a schematic side view of a process element of a process formaking a bladder insert in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a vacuum section of an apparatus forvacuum forming of a bladder insert in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 40 is a radial cross-sectional view of the vacuum section shown inFIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is a plan view of a bladder insert produced by a vacuum formingprocess in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 42A, 42B, 42C and 42D are cross-sectional views of embodiments ofthe bladder insert of FIG. 41 taken along the line XLII—XLII; and

FIG. 43 is a graphic representation of the dynamic pressures applied tofeminine care articles in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention disclosed herein is an absorbent article such as a diaper,incontinence garment or sanitary pad or napkin comprising a resilientfluid-filled chamber (bladder insert) which conforms in response to thebody of the wearer while retaining much of its volume in order togenerate intimate contact between the absorbent article and the wearerfor improved intake and management of bodily discharges. Moreparticularly, the bladder insert allows pressure to be equalized acrossthe absorbent article surface, adapting to the dynamics of the wearer'sactivity. For example, for a seated person wearing an absorbent articlein accordance with this invention, the pressure imparted against theseat of the article is transferred to other portions of the bladderinsert to aid in pressing the absorbent article against the wearer'sbody.

The mechanical properties of the bladder insert are characterized byvery high resiliency in dry and wet conditions. These resiliencyproperties, which are mainly dependent on the pressure in thefluid-filled chamber(s) forming the bladder insert and thetwo-dimensional arrangement of the chamber(s), minimize deformation ofthe absorbent article when in use. In addition, the resiliency of thebladder insert ensures good body conformance by allowing the material ofthe bladder insert and, thus, the absorbent article to mold reversiblyinto the various shapes of a multitude of use conditions.

Yet a further benefit derived from the use of a bladder insert in anabsorbent article in accordance with this invention is that the bladderinsert adds bulk to the article without significant cost whilesimultaneously providing a lighter article compared to conventionalarticles of comparable bulk.

An absorbent article 10 in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a multi-layer materialhaving a front section 11, a back section 13 and an intermediate section12 connecting said front section 11 and said back section 13, saidmulti-layer material comprising a topsheet 14, a backsheet 15 and anabsorbent layer 16 disposed between said topsheet 14 and said backsheet15, and at least one fluid-filled chamber or bladder insert 17 disposedbetween at least a portion of said absorbent layer 16 and said backsheet15.

Bladder insert 17, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 is a sealed compartment 19between a generally upper material layer 18 and a generally lowermaterial 20, which material is impermeable to its contents. The bladderinsert material may be a coated structure or a polymer film. Materialssuitable for formation of the bladder insert 17 preferably are selectedfrom the group consisting of polyurethane films, thermoplastics,elastomers, coated papers and combinations thereof. Polyethylene orpolypropylene may be used; however, an elastic material such aspolyurethane is preferred due to its ability to conform to the body ofthe wearer and retain its volume for good anatomical fit. The outersurface of the bladder insert may be coated with a material, for examplea surfactant for enhancing fluid distribution.

Fluids for filling the bladder insert may be liquids, gels or gases.Liquid fill materials have the benefit of low compressibility; gels havethe benefit of a slow rate of conformability; and gases, for exampleair, have the benefit of being low in cost. Suitable materials withwhich to fill the bladder inserts are selected from the group consistingof water, air, gelatins, hydrogels, colloids, suspensions andcombinations thereof.

The bladder inserts for absorbent articles in accordance with thisinvention may be produced by a variety of methods. As shown in FIG. 3,bladder insert 17 may be made of a single material formed by blowingthrough fluid inlet 27 much like a toy balloon is inflated. Inaccordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, bladder insert 17 isformed by folding a single piece of bladder material onto itself alongfolded edge 28 and then sealingly bonding the folded bladder materialalong the remaining three sides, forming bonds 29. In accordance withanother embodiment as shown in FIG. 5B, bladder insert 17 is formed bytwo pieces of bladder material which are generally coextensive andperipherally, sealingly bonded to each other, forming a peripheral seal.Sealing or bonding in accordance with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5Aand 5B can be accomplished by any suitable method known to those skilledin the art. Preferred sealing or bonding methods include heat sealing,ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, and the use of adhesives.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a bladder insert in accordance with oneembodiment of this invention wherein at least one face of the bladderinsert comprises at least one pleat 30. As shown in FIG. 8A, inaccordance with one embodiment of this invention, one face of thebladder insert is pleated and the other face is a rigid flat structure31 resulting in a more controlled surface shape. In accordance with theembodiment shown in FIG. 8B, both faces of bladder insert 17 arepleated. Pleats may be formed by passing the bladder insert over aseries of heated parallel wires, rollers or plates resulting in bondingof the two materials of the bladder insert to each other and formationof a plurality of individual resilient fluid-filled chambers within thebladder insert.

As shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, bladder insert 17 may have a variety ofshapes depending upon the absorbent article design requirements. Inaccordance with one embodiment, bladder insert 17 is square orrectangular in shape. In accordance with another embodiment, bladderinsert is oval in shape (FIG. 9A). In accordance with yet anotherembodiment, bladder insert 17 has an hourglass shape (FIG. 9B). And, inaccordance with yet another embodiment, bladder insert 17 may have anasymmetrical shape, such as the pear shape shown in FIG. 9C, to matchbody features.

Bladder insert 17 may be a variety of sizes depending upon the absorbentarticle in which it is employed. For example, it may occupy the fullarea of the absorbent product such as in the case of a regular maxipad.Or, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, bladder insert 17 may be shorterand/or narrower than the absorbent article to minimize the thickness atthe sides and ends of the article. In accordance with one embodiment ofthis invention, bladder insert 17 may be disposed around the perimeterof the absorbent article, such as in the case of a diaper, to providesealing against the body to prevent leakage off the article. The sealsmay be continuous or at different intervals along the perimeter of theabsorbent article.

In accordance with one embodiment of the absorbent article of thisinvention, multiple bladder inserts may be employed at several areasaround the article. For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, separate bladderinserts 17 may be disposed along each side of the absorbent article. Insuch cases, it will be apparent that, if desired, each individualbladder insert employed in the absorbent article may have a differentpressure. Alternatively, they may be interconnected to one another asshown in FIG. 13B.

In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, bladder insert17 is constructed of one or more materials added into the absorbentstructure. As shown in FIG. 11, bladder insert 17 is laminated/bonded toan existing polymer outer baffle 34.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a body-conforming bladder insert having anoval shape with a narrowed center portion. As shown in FIG. 15, thisbody-conforming bladder insert comprises a plurality of pleats 30 onboth faces of the bladder insert and the chambers 51, 52 are ofdifferent cross-sectional areas. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and17A, bladder insert 17 is also in an oval shape with a narrowed centerportion, but unlike the bladder insert of FIG. 15, the center region 53is open. FIG. 17B shows a cross-sectional view of the bladder insert ofFIG. 16 wherein bladder material 54 spans across the center region 53.In FIGS. 17C and 17D, additional materials are shown spanning the centerregion on one or both faces of bladder insert 17.

As previously stated, in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention, bladder insert 17 comprises a plurality of pleats 30,resulting in a bladder insert having a plurality of resilientfluid-filled chambers. As shown in FIGS. 12A-12D, the chambers 45-50 maybe independent of one another (FIG. 12D), or they may be interconnectedas shown in FIG. 12C. In accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention, bladder insert 17 comprises at least one baffle 35 disposedwithin the bladder chamber.

FIGS. 18-23 show embodiments of a bladder insert for use in absorbentarticles, which bladder inserts are multi-dimensional structures. FIGS.18-21 show embodiments in which the chambers resulting from pleating ofthe bladder insert have different elevations and/or differentcross-sectional areas. FIGS. 22 and 23 show a bladder configuration inwhich only the center region 60 is elevated with respect to thesurrounding chambers. Similar multi-dimensional bladder inserts inaccordance with this invention are also shown in FIGS. 41 and 42A-42D.In order to form such multi-dimensional bladder inserts, in additionalto basic mechanical pleating, vacuum formation is employed.

FIG. 38 shows a process for forming a bladder insert employing vacuumformation. A lower bladder material layer 71 and an upper bladdermaterial layer 72 are conveyed into a nip 75 formed by drum 73 andvacuum/sealing drum 74. As the material layers pass into the nip 75, airor another suitable fluid is injected by injector 79 into the nipbetween the layers. As the layers pass through the nip, sealing bars 77,78, shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, form a desired pattern of seals togenerate a desired pattern of pleats and resilient fluid-filledchambers. Simultaneously therewith, a vacuum is applied to the upperbladder material layer by vacuum/sealing drum 74 as the material passesbeneath vacuum pull region 76. Depending upon the dimensionalcharacteristics of the vacuum pull area as well as the extent of thevacuum applied to the material, bladder inserts having a variety ofmulti-dimensional characteristics can be formed.

As previously stated, one result of using a bladder insert in anabsorbent article is improved conformance of the absorbent article tothe body of the wearer for the purpose of providing intimate contactbetween the absorbent article and the wearer for improved intake anddistribution of body exudates. Such conformance depends upon a number offactors, not the least of which is the dimensional characteristics ofthe absorbent article relative to the physical characteristics, such assize and shape, of the wearer. To address this issue, one embodiment ofan absorbent article in accordance with this invention comprises meansfor customizing the article so as to provide a better fit for individualwearers. More particularly, the bladder inserts, in addition toproviding pressure against the body of the wearer, are configured toactivate mechanical devices that may engage at continuous or incrementalpoints. The mechanical devices are generally constructed of semi-rigidor rigid materials and are positioned at specific locations within theabsorbent article. For example, the critical absorbency intake positionof feminine care pads is the central crotch region. FIGS. 36 and 37 arediagrammatic representations of an absorbent article comprising meansfor customizing the article in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention particularly suitable for use in feminine care pads. Suchmeans comprises a mechanism for “pop-up” extensibility located in thecentral crotch region, for example a bellows-type structure 80 which,upon compression of bladder inserts 81, 82, forces a fluid, such as air,out of one or more bladder inserts 81, 82 in accordance with thisinvention disposed within the absorbent article and into the “pop-up”mechanism. Alternatively, bladder inserts 81, 82 may be designed to drawoutside air in. In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, themechanism may be “locked” into place to provide continual body contact.In addition, the inclusion of such a mechanism can savepackaging/shipping space since the volume associated with conforming theabsorbent article need not be activated until its end-use.

Another alternative for customizing the bladder insert to conform to thebody of the wearer is to provide the bladder insert with adjustableinflation means for filling the bladder insert chambers with fluidand/or adjusting the amount of fluid in the chambers to enable properbody fit. In contrast to vacuum packaged devices in which release of aplug or tape allows atmospheric air to enter a chamber, devices whichemploy gas-evolving material enclosed within a chamber to causeinflation or devices which employ a pump which is integral to thechamber, an absorbent article in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention allows for the use of a separate device by incorporation of anappropriate valve arrangement into the absorbent article. FIGS. 28A and28B show a valve arrangement suitable for use in absorbent articles ofthis invention in the form of a check valve system. Check valve 90 isdisposed within fluid intake conduit 91, which, in turn, is in fluidcommunication with at least one chamber of a bladder insert (not shown).When fluid is introduced into the chamber of the bladder insert, checkvalve 90 opens, as shown in FIG. 28B to permit the flow of fluid throughfluid intake conduit 91 into the chamber. When the fluid pressure withinthe chamber has reached a desired level, the pressure within the chamberforces check valve 90 to move to a closed position as shown in FIG. 28A.

An alternative embodiment of a valve arrangement is shown in FIG. 29.Here, a center filling element 92 is concentrically disposed withinfluid intake conduit 93, which, in turn, is in fluid communication withat least one chamber of the bladder insert of an absorbent article.After inflation of the bladder insert, center filling element 92, whichmay be coated with an adhesive releasing material, that is a materialwhich prevents the center filling element 92 from sticking to anadhesive, is removed and fluid intake conduit 93 is sealed byapplication of a compression force as indicated by arrows 94. To promotesealing of fluid intake conduit 93, the interior surface thereof may becoated with an adhesive which maintains the conduit in a sealedcondition.

In accordance with one embodiment of an absorbent article of thisinvention, in order to improve the fit of the article to the body of thewearer, bladder insert 17 is constructed of materials having differentelasticities to generate a desired curvature in the article. FIG. 33shows a plan view of a bladder insert 17 for an absorbent article inaccordance with one embodiment of this invention employing materials ofdifferent elasticity. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the bladderinsert of FIG. 33 taken along the line XXXIV—XXXIV where the material oflower elasticity 100 is disposed on top of the material of higherelasticity 101 resulting in a longitudinal upward curvature of thebladder insert. Similarly, FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of thebladder insert of FIG. 33 taken along the line XXXV—XXXV where thematerial of lower elasticity 106 is disposed below the material ofgreater elasticity 107 resulting in an upwards directed side-to-sidecurvature.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the direction ofcurvature and the location of the curvature can be influenced by theposition of the different materials. FIGS. 30, 31 and 32 showembodiments of a bladder insert of this invention wherein zones ofmaterials having different elasticities are used to modify theproperties in a localized region of the bladder insert. The bladderinsert 17 of FIG. 30 comprising upper material layer 96 and lowermaterial layer 97 comprises a centrally disposed bulge 95 due to acentrally disposed patch of material in upper material layer 96 having ahigher elasticity than the surrounding material. Such a configuration isformed as shown in FIG. 31 where a patch 98 of a material having a givenelasticity is joined by peripheral seals 99 to a material layer 103having a lower elasticity than the patch material over an opening 104formed by material layer 103. When material layer 103 is used as one plyor material layer of a bladder insert and the bladder insert is filledto a desired pressure with a fluid, the patch material, whichconstitutes a dissimilar region 105 as shown in FIG. 32, will stretchabove material layer 103 forming bulge 95 as shown in FIG. 30. It willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that other materialdissimilarities, such as thinning of the patch material orpre-stretching of the patch material may be employed to cause differentresponses to a given applied pressure.

Fluid distribution within the absorbent articles of this invention isenhanced by application of peristaltic elements to the bladder inserts.Such peristaltic elements are generally in the form of surfacemodifications applied to the outer surfaces of the bladder insert. Suchsurface modifications work in conjunction with the bladder pressure todistribute fluid by means of peristalsis.

The key to the peristaltic element is the application of rhythmicpressures/forces in the direction of a finite fluid reservoir. In thecase of absorbent articles in accordance with this invention, the forcesneeded to initiate fluid transport are created by using the dynamicforces which are applied to the absorbent articles by the human body andits motion. For example, we have found that dynamic pressures exerted tofeminine care articles can alternate in a very regular way (See FIG.43). This fact suggests that a pump-like mechanism in the center of theabsorbent article can be used to improve the fluid distributionthroughout the entire product. Various peristaltic elements inaccordance with different embodiments of this invention are shown inFIGS. 24-27. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-chamberbladder insert which forms grooves 55 in the base region of adjacentfluid-filled chambers 56. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of amulti-chamber bladder insert wherein the surfaces of the resilientfluid-filled chambers 56 form a plurality of microgrooves 57. FIG. 26 isa cross-sectional view of a multi-chamber bladder insert comprising aplurality of fibers or filaments 58 disposed on the surfaces of theresilient fluid-filled chambers. And, FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional viewof a multi-chamber bladder insert wherein a plurality of fibers 59 aredisposed within grooves 55 in the base region of adjacent fluid-filledchambers 56.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been describedin relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many detailshave been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additionalembodiments and that certain of the details described herein can bevaried considerably without departing from the basic principles of theinvention.

We claim:
 1. An absorbent article comprising: a multi-layer materialhaving a front section, a back section and an intermediate sectionconnecting said front section and said back section, said multi-layermaterial comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent layerdisposed between said topsheet and said backsheet; and at least oneresilient fluid-filled chamber formed between an upper layer and a lowerlayer, the upper layer and the lower layer being of fluid-impermeablematerial, the chamber disposed one of in said absorbent layer andbetween at least a portion of said absorbent layer and said backsheetand having at least one pleat and at least one peristaltic element. 2.An absorbent article in accordance with claim 1, wherein said resilientfluid-filled chamber is filled with a fluid selected from the groupconsisting of water, air, gelatins, hydrogels, colloids, suspensions andcombinations thereof.
 3. An absorbent article in accordance with claim1, wherein said fluid impermeable material is a material selected fromthe group consisting of thermoplastics, elastomers, polyurethane films,coated papers and combinations thereof.
 4. An absorbent article inaccordance with claim 3, wherein said fluid impermeable materialcomprises at least one of polyethylene and polypropylene.
 5. Anabsorbent article in accordance with claim 1, wherein said resilientfluid-filled chamber is formed between an upper material layer and alower material layer substantially coextensive with said upper layer,said upper material layer and said lower material layer sealingly bondedto each other around at least a portion of a material periphery.
 6. Anabsorbent article in accordance with claim 5, wherein at least one ofsaid material layers is pleated, forming a plurality of resilientfluid-filled chambers.
 7. An absorbent article in accordance with claim6, wherein a plurality of resilient fluid-filled chambers aredimensionally nonuniform.
 8. An absorbent article in accordance withclaim 5, wherein one of said upper material layer and said lowermaterial layer is a substantially flat, rigid material.
 9. An absorbentarticle in accordance with claim 5, wherein one of said upper materiallayer and said lower material layer is prestretched prior to bonding tosaid other material layer.
 10. An absorbent article in accordance withclaim 5, wherein a base of a plurality of resilient fluid-filledchambers forms a plurality of grooves, said grooves constituting said atleast one peristaltic element.
 11. An absorbent article in accordancewith claim 10, wherein said at least one peristaltic element comprises aplurality of fibers disposed within said grooves.
 12. An absorbentarticle in accordance with claim 5, wherein said upper material layerand said lower material layer have different elasticities.
 13. Anabsorbent article in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least a portionof an outer surface of said resilient fluid-filled chamber is coated.14. An absorbent article in accordance with claim 1 further comprisingmeans for inflating said resilient fluid-filled chamber.
 15. Anabsorbent article in accordance with claim 1, wherein an outer surfaceof said resilient fluid-filled chamber forms a plurality ofmicrogrooves, said microgrooves constituting said at least oneperistaltic element.
 16. An absorbent article in accordance with claim1, wherein said at least one peristaltic element comprises a pluralityof fibers fixedly disposed on an outer surface of said resilientfluid-filled chamber.
 17. An absorbent article in accordance with claim1, wherein said resilient fluid-filled chamber is vacuum formed.
 18. Anabsorbent article in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least onebaffle is disposed within said at least one resilient fluid-filledchamber.
 19. An absorbent article comprising: a multi-layer materialcomprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent layer disposedbetween said topsheet and said backsheet; and at least one resilientfluid-filled chamber formed between an upper layer and a lower layer,the upper layer and the lower layer being of fluid-impermeable material,the chamber disposed one of in said absorbent layer and between at leasta portion of said absorbent layer and said backsheet and having at leastone pleat and at least one peristaltic element.
 20. A feminine careabsorbent article comprising: a multi-layer material having a frontsection, a back section and an intermediate section connecting saidfront section and said back section, said multi-layer materialcomprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent layer disposedbetween said topsheet and said backsheet; and at least one resilientfluid-filled chamber formed between an upper layer and a lower layer,the upper layer and the lower layer being of fluid-impermeable material,the chamber disposed one of in said absorbent layer and between at leasta portion of said absorbent layer and said backsheet and having at leastone pleat and at least one peristaltic element.
 21. A feminine careabsorbent article in accordance with claim 20, wherein an outer surfaceof said resilient fluid-filled chamber forms a plurality ofmicrogrooves, said microgrooves constituting said at least oneperistaltic element.
 22. A feminine care absorbent article in accordancewith claim 20, wherein said at least one peristaltic element comprises aplurality of fibers fixedly disposed on an outer surface of saidresilient fluid-filled chamber.
 23. An absorbent article in accordancewith claim 20, wherein a base of a plurality of resilient fluid-filledchambers forms a plurality of grooves, said grooves constituting said atleast one peristaltic element.
 24. A feminine care absorbent article inaccordance with claim 20 further comprising means for inflating saidresilient fluid-filled chamber.
 25. A feminine care absorbent article inaccordance with claim 20, wherein a plurality of resilient fluid-filledchambers are dimensionally nonuniform.
 26. A feminine care absorbentarticle in accordance with claim 20, wherein at least one baffle isdisposed within said at least one resilient fluid-filled chamber.
 27. Adiaper comprising: a multi-layer material having a front section, a backsection and an intermediate section connecting said front section andsaid back section, said multi-layer material comprising a topsheet, abacksheet and an absorbent layer disposed between said topsheet and saidbacksheet; and at least one resilient fluid-filled chamber formedbetween an upper layer and a lower layer, the upper layer and the lowerlayer being of fluid-impermeable material, the chamber disposed betweenat least a portion of said absorbent layer and said backsheet and havingat least one pleat and at least one peristaltic element.